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No. 617,275 7 Patented Jan. 3, I899. W. F. BDSSERT & G. L. HULTUN. QUICK 'BREAK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

(Application flied June 9, 1898.

fig. 1

(No Model.)

30 @Eummummmmm J wuwwtow William/Z? Boaawt Geazyel. Hal? ATES VILLIAM F. BOSSERT AND GEORGE L. HOLTON, OF UTICA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE BOSSERT ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

OF SAME PLACE.

QUICK-BREAK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,275, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed \Tune 9, 1898. $erial1l0- 683,004.. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern;

Be it known that we, WILLIAM F. BossERr' declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The purpose of this invention is to reduce sparking of electric switches to a minimum,

whereby their period of usefulness is prolonged and frequent renewal of the electric contacts obviated.

A further purpose of the invention is to increase the conductivity of this class of switches and insure a quick break upon throwing the switch to interrupt the circuit in which it is located.

The invention is further designed to provide a switch of substantial construction, positive in action, not liable to derangement, devoid of arcing, and hence preventing a rapid deteriorating of the contacts when the device is in constant use, easy of operation, effective, and fulfilling all the requirements of a quick-break electric switch.

The switch may be single, double, triple, or multiple, according to the purpose and number of circuits intended to be controlled thereby, and in its construction the switch embodies, essentially, two terminals constituting the electric contacts, a pair of blades pivoted at one end to one of the contacts and adapted to embrace the sides of both contacts, a connecting-piece coupling the free ends of the pair of blades and having a guide arm or stem terminating in a T or cross head forming a stop, a third blade pivoted to the same contact with the said pair of blades and having ears embracing the sides of the end portions of the aforesaid pair of blades, and a fiat spring secured rigidly to the pivoted end of the third blade and having its free end notched to receive the guide-arm of the coupling-piece and engage with the cross-head thereof.

In order that the invention may be disclosed, it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to a double-pole switch, and in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the operation by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the coupling for the free ends of a pair of switchblades. Fig. 4 is adetail view of the free end portions of a pair of switch-blades. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the third blade.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the' several views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The base 1 may be of slate,vulcanite, or any suitable insulating material commonly employed in the construction of this and analogous devices. The electric contacts forming the terminals of the respective circuits in which the switch is placed are represented by the numerals 2 and 3. The pairs of switchblades 4 are pivoted at one end to the respective contacts 2 and have their free ends con nected by a coupling 5, formed with a guidearm 6 and a T-head 7. The blades 4 are par allel and spaced apart a distance to receive snugly between them the contacts 2 and 3 when the circuit is closed. The third blades 8 are pivoted to the contacts 2 independently of the blades 4 and preferably by the same means or pivotal connections 9. Pairs of cars 10 and 11 are provided at the ends of the blades 8 and embrace the end portions of the switch-blades 4. Electrical connection is established between the blades 4and 8 by means of the cars 10 and 11, the latter making detachable connection with the blades 4 to permit of the quick interruption of the circuit when throwing the switch.

An opening 12 is formed in the free end of each blade 8 for the passage of the guide-arm 6, which latter prevents relative lateral movement of the blades 8 and 4 and insures the cars 11 coming upon opposite sides of the blades 4 when the latter quickly leave the contact 3 and move at their free ends toward the free end of the blade 8.

A flat spring 13 is rigidly secured at one end to the pivoted end of each blade 8, and its free end is notched at 14 to receive the guidearm 6 and engage with the T or cross head 7 to maintain the switch-blades 4 and 8 in proper position. The primary purpose of the spring 13 is to secure a quick or snap action of the blades 4 when throwing the switch, so as to prevent excessive sparking. This spring also acts as a conductor when the cars 11 are out of electrical contact with the blades 4, whereby a switch of high conductive quality is provided. The third blade 8 also forms an auxiliary conductor.

hen the switch is constructed for double or multiple circuits,the free ends of the blades 8 will be coupled by a bar 15 of insulating material to which a handle 16 is fitted. This construction admits of a simultaneous interruption of all the circuits in which the switch is placed.

The coupling 5 has a pair of grooves 17 on its inner side, in which are fitted the outer or free ends of the blades 4, and it is provided with an opening 18 to receive the reduced extremities 19 of the blades 4, which are bent half-round and unitedly form a collar which is fitted into the said opening 18. This collar is internally threaded and receives a screw 20, by means of which the parts 4 and 5 are firmly connected.

When the switch is in service and it is desired to interrupt the circuit in which it is placed, the switch-blade 8 is moved away from the base 1. This operation increases the tension of the spring 13 and disconnects the cars 11 of the blade 8 from the blade 4. Just as the blade 8 is approaching the limit of its outward movement relatively to the blades 4 the spring 13 will have been compressed sufficiently to overcome the frictional engagement of the blade 4 with the contact 3 and effect a quick release of the blades4 and a snap action thereof by reason of the spring 13 quickly regaining itself. The quick movement of the blades 4 interrupts the circuit suddenly without producing sparking of such a character as to effect a deteriorating of the contact-pieces.

A stop 21. projects laterally from the side of each contact 3 to limit the movement of the switch-blades 4 toward the base 1 when closing the circuit. The blades 8 extend over the spaces formed between the blades 4 and normally protect and conceal said spaces from view.

It is obvious that the invention may be adapted to different forms and patterns of switches, and it is to be understood that such changes and modifications may be resorted to in the particular embodiment of the invention within its scope without departing from the nature thereof.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent, is

1. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades pivoted to one of the contacts and arranged to come upon opposite sides thereof, a third switch-blade pivoted relatively to the pair of switch-blades and adapted to be operated to throw the switch, a coupling applied to the free ends of the pair of switch-blades and formed with an extension constituting a guide for the free end of the said third switch-blade, and a spring interposed between the aforesaid guide extension and the third switch-blade, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of independent switch=blades pivoted at one end to one of the contacts, a couplinghaving grooves in its inner face to receive the other or free ends of the pair of switch-blades, means connecting the blades and coupling, and actuating means for operating the switch, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, a pair of switch-blades spaced apart a distance to receive between them said contacts and pivoted to one of the contacts, a third switchblade extending over the pair of switch-blades and having end extensions to embrace and make electric connection with the end portions of the pair of switch-blades, and a spring cooperating with said third and pair of switch-blades, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, a blade pivoted to one of the contacts and adapted to make electrical and detachable connection with the other contact, a blade having pairs of end extensions to embrace and make electric contact with the end portions of the first-mentioned blade, and pivoted by a pair of the said extensions to the same contact as the first-described blade, and a spring cooperating with the blades in the manner described, for the purpose specified.

5. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades embracing the sides of the contacts and pivoted to one of them, a third blade pivoted to the same contact by the same means as the pair of blades, and having pairs of extensions at its free ends to embrace and make electrical connection with the free end portions of the pair of switchblades, a guide between the free ends of the respective sets of blades and a spring coopcrating with the switch-blades and guide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades embracing the sides of the contacts and pivoted to one of them, a third blade having ears at its ends to embrace the sides of the pair of switch-blades and pivoted by a pair of ears to the same contact with the pair of switch-blades, and a spring coacting with the switch-blades, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, a blade pivoted to one of the contacts and having a guide-arm at its free end, another blade having independent pivotal connection with the contact to which the first-mentioned blade is pivoted and receiving the guide-arm at its free end, and a spring interposed between the free end of the third blade and the outer end of the guide-arm to normally hold the two blades in working position, substantially as described.

8. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, a

blade pivoted to one of the contacts and httV.

ing a guide-arm at its free end terminating in a T or cross head, another blade having independent pivotal connection with the contact to which the first-described blade is pivoted and having an opening at its free end for-the passage ofthe guide-arm, and a spring interposed between the third blade and the cross-head of the guide-arm, substantially as specified.

9. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, a blade pivoted to one of the contacts and having a guide-arm at its free end terminating in a T or cross head, another blade having independent pivotal connection with the contact to which the first-described blade is pivoted and having an opening at its free end for the passage of the guide-arm, and a spring secured at one end to the pivoted end of the third blade and engaging at its other end with the cross-head of the guide-arm, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

10. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades placed upon opposite sides of the contacts and pivoted at one end to one of said contacts, a coupling connecting the free ends of the switch-blades, and having a guide-arm provided at its outer end with a T-head, a third blade pivoted to the same contact with the pair of switch-blades and having an opening for the guide-arm to pass freely through, and a flat spring secured to the pivoted end of the third blade and having its free end engaging with the T-head of the guide-arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades placed upon the opposite sides of the contacts and pivoted at one end to one of the said contacts, a coupling connecting the free ends of the switch-blades, and having a guide-arm provided at its outer end with a T-head, a third blade having pairs of ears at its ends to embrace the end portions of the pair of switch-blades and pivoted by a set of ears to the same contact with the pair of switch-blades, and having an opening at its free end to receive the guide-arm, and a flat spring secured at one end to the pivoted end of the thirdblade and having its free end engaging with the T-head of the guidearm, substantially as described.

12. In an electric switch, the combination with electric contacts forming terminals of the circuit in which the switch is placed, of a pair of switch-blades placed upon opposite sides of the contacts and pivoted at one end to one of said contacts, a coupling connecting the free ends of the switch-blades, and having grooves in its inner side to receive the said ends, and formed with an opening to receive the reduced extremities of the pair of blades, and having a guide-arm, a third blade pivoted to the same contact with the pair of blades and receiving the guide-arm, and a spring applied to the third blade and engaging with the outer end of the guide-arm, substantially as set forth.

13. In a multiple switch, the combination of companion contacts forming the terminals of the respective circuits, pairs of switchblades pivoted to a contact of the respective sets of contacts, couplings connecting the free ends of the pairs of switch-blades and formed with guide-arms having T-heads, other blades having pairs of ears at their ends to embrace the end portions of the pairs of switch-blades and pivoted to the same contacts with the pairs of switch-blades, and having openings at their free ends to receive the guide-arms, flat springs secured to the pivoted ends of the third blades and notched at their free ends to receive the guide-arms and engage with the heads thereof, and a bar connecting the third blades in series and electrically insulated therefrom and having an operating-handle, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT. GEORGE L. HOLTON. 

